New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-06-15

sheep. It is desirable for change,
even if a farmer has a sufficient
amount of common hay for all his
stock.
Management Of Fairs.
Every year many complains are made
about the management of our county
and district agricultural fairs. The
statement is made that they have pas
sed out of the hands of farmers and are
controlled by the owners Of asthorses,
sporting men, and people who do BUSH
ness in the nearest town. Many COM
| plants are made concerning the inn
moral tendencies of fairs when pool
selling is allowed. Permits are given
for Objectionable side-shows, privileges
for selling worthless article are sold,
and games of chance are permitted.
Many exhibitors complain Of want of
suitable accommodations for themselves
and their stock, of the lack of capacity,
knowledge, Judgment, and honesty on
the part of the judges, of delay in hav-
ing the fair grounds put in suitable
condition, and in reduction in the
premiums offered. Many complain be-
cause fairs are generally noisy and
disorderly and because the exercises
| of each day do not conform with the
published programme. Many state that
the best space in the exhibition building
is generally occupied by goods of mer-
chants, to the exclusion of farm, gar
den, orchard, and dairy products,
They declare that fairs should be prin-
cipally for educating people in matters
pertaining to agriculture and not for
furnishing amusement or for advertis-
ing and selling goods.
There are good grounds for most of
these complaints, but it seems aston
ishing that the people who make them
do not Interest themselves in institut-
| ing the reforms they appear to desire
so much. The most enterprising and in
telligent farmers, gardeners, and stock
raisers in each county should control the
fair, and should they undertake to do
SO it is not likely that they should meet
with any opposition. To accomplish
the best results it is advisable for them
to organize a county agricultural
society, which should not limit it's Ia
bors to holding an annual fair.
This society should hold regular meet
ings for hearing lectures, discussing
. various matters pertaining to farmin 9
gardening, and stock-raising, and for
considering business matters and legis-
lation that effect the interests in whic h
they are engaged. Working commit.
tees should be appointed to test new
. varities of plants, to consider the mer-
its of rival breeds of animals, to expert
ment with machines and implements,
and to make reports on them. An as.
ISOLATION of men organized for the pur-
pose of promoting agriculture and
stock-raising would be likely to con.
duct county fair that would be Of
great value to themselves and the
community, and one that would be
free from all Objectionable features.
Such an association could be .incor.
'porated as "a joint stock society for the
purpose of buying and improving
grounds and holding annual agricul-
tural fairs. The number of shares
should be large and the price compare
lively small, SO as to allow every enter
, prising farmer in the county to own at
least one. By adopting this plan the
majority of the farmers in county
would become directly interested In
the welfare of the society and the sue
cess of the fair. They would become
better acquainted, and would be better
prepared to work for the advancement
of agriculture and kindred industries.
They could decide how fair should be
conducted that would accomplish the
best results. They could arrange fol
using their grounds and buildings for
other purposes than accomm odatine
exhibitors and patrons of the annual
fair. At a comparatively small .ex-
pense they could erect a building that
could be used for meetings of the soci.
ETY. and for the display OF some articles
exhibited at the fairs. When attend
ing these meetings they could stable
their horses in the stalls erected fol
animals brought for exhibitions. a
| building answering the purposes of the
. clubhouse in mcst racing. parks is very
desirable in an Enclosure used for hold
, ing fairs. 1t need not be a costly
affair, but it SHOULD contain kitchen
( dining-room, and large apartment
| for holding meetings.
1t is very desirable to have fami Il
: live in a building located on the fair.
/ grounds and have the general care o.
them during the entire year. The
grounds should be kept in good con.
, dition all the time The fences ane
| buildings should not be allowed to gel
out Of repair, as they frequently Dc
when the premises are deserted except
I during the weeks when the fair is il
) progress. The grass on the grounds
: should be cut and saved at the proper
J time, the weeds killed, and tracks
kept in good condition. Before the
: fair is held everything about the
( grounds should be put in order. After
! it is over the manure should be remov.